Grantham runners perform well in distance events

GRANTHAM Running Club marathon men Ben Mason and Ben Hatherley were in action in the inaugural Morton Olympic Marathon, near Southwell, last Sunday.

With Ben Mason tiring around the 19th mile, Ben Hatherley stepped up the pace for the last seven miles, sensing a sub-four hour finish. With the finish line in sight, he moved up to claim second place overall in a time of 3hr 50min, trailing the winner by 10 minutes.

Ben Mason came home in fifth spot in a time of 4:12.

l hrs 12mins. An excellent achievement by both Grantham runners considering they had only entered Wednesday before the event.

l GRC’s Paul Rushworth returned to the type of race he is more comfortable with, completing the Long Tour of Bradwell fell race in 7:10:11. He was especially pleased to finish 35th in this run which included 6,300ft of ascent in its 33 miles.

l Grantham Athletic Club’s John Bainbridge was the only local entrant in the Thorney Five.

He completed the out and back course through the countryside near Peterborough in a time of 40:29, despite the heat.